(Toronto, Jan. 15, 2021) – The following is a statement from Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division:
“We unequivocally support provincial lockdown measures to protect the health and safety of Ontarians and to help ease the monumental burden our front-line health care workers are facing every day.
“We are also in continual conversation with government officials about how the pandemic is impacting the mental health of Ontarians. People have become more stressed, worried, and depressed since the pandemic began. Substance use is also up and, tragically, opioid overdoses have increased at alarming levels.
“Sadly, the MPP has mischaracterized CMHA research. The data shows that suicidal ideation has increased but that’s due to the overall impact of the pandemic. At a time when so many Ontarians are struggling, we are disappointed that the MPP has for political purposes misconstrued statistics about the sensitive subject of suicidal ideation.
“As the pandemic continues, we will continue to engage government and advocate for Ontarians who are living with mental health or addiction issues during these difficult times.”
About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. Our 28 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve approximately 500,000 Ontarians each year.
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For more information, contact:
Joe Kim
Director, Communications
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
T: 416-977-5580, ext. 4141
E: jkim@ontario.cmha.ca